Igor Jesus Scores a Brace as The Reds Round Off Europa League Campaign with Victory over Ferencvaros

The Brazilian attacker found the net on two occasions as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the European competition with a comfortable triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.

The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this fixture with a small chance of making the top eight, although they needed other matches to go their way.

Those results failed to materialize but this assured performance will give Forest fans belief that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to reach the last 16.

Kristoffer Zachariassen struck the upright with a headed effort inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by former Tottenham striker Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.

Forest opened the scoring in the early stages when a delivery from midfield was turned into his own net by Bence Otvos and doubled the lead four minutes later – the striker squeezing a shot in at the far post for his 10th goal of the season.

Jesus' eleventh goal came early in the second half when he made a perfectly-timed run to break clear of the backline and then drive an effort past the goalkeeper.

The third strike ended Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead the hosts scored again when the impressive McAtee converted a spot-kick after a foul by the unfortunate Bence Otvos inside the box on the winger.

Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Nottingham Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.

"It is not just the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do well as a unit, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.

"This is another step, but it is a positive one."

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Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in European competition this term with half of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.

This double also means he has got a trio of strikes in his last two games and the threat of a challenge for his position in attack could be spurring him on.

Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was watching this match from the stands.

That may well have been on Jesus' thoughts as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, producing two superb goals and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and movement.

The forward was not the only one in impressing, with James McAtee turning in his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from Manchester City last summer, while Dan Ndoye also performed well.

These encouraging performances will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to pulling further away from the bottom three when they welcome their London rivals on Sunday.

"All you can ask for is a response," continued the manager.

"I've never questioned their work ethic or their dedication or integrity. It is just go and show your quality.

"McAtee was excellent and Dan was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are positive indicators."

Star Performer

Forest Key Performers

• Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.10
• #24: Rating 8.75
• #22: Rating 8.63
• I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
• N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9

The Visitors Ratings

• B. Yusuf: Rating 4.1
• Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
• K. Zachariassen: Rating 4.09